Terminal block connector assembly



Jan. 5, 1965 s. E. GENTILE 3,164,709

TERMINAL BLOCK CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed May 5. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.|

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F862 SALVATORE E.GENT|LE WDM AGENT Jan. 5, 1965 s. E. GENTILE 3,164,709

TERMINAL BLOCK CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY Filed May 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l5 :7 4 m '9 J U, A "a I l 1 7 I 2927 2} J- f 28 2B r g z 1 I a x J 5 ELM; l9 22 3| I9 23 I9 23 3! 9 22 20 2| F163 U 44 U 20 o a 35 as 0 ./2a- -2a E j r H 27 g- FlG.4 SP J 31 3 4 INVENTOR. SALVATORE E. GENTILE -Mam AGENT United States Patent Ofi ice 3,l54,79 Patented Jan. 5, 1965 3,164,709 TERMHNAL BLOCK CGNNECTGR ASSEMBLY Salvatore E. Gentile, Logansport, lnd., assignor to Essex Wire Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind, a corporation of 'Michigan Filed May 5, 1961, Ser. No. 108,953

' 4'Ciairns. (Cl. 20tl166) having stationary contacts on connector members which are each reliably held on an insulator terminal block by a singlescrew so that the connector member may be readily removed by unscrewing the screw.

A further object of the invention is to provide a terminal block connector assembly that is adapted for use with various types of electrical terminals.

In a preferred form of the invention, connector members which each consist of a U-shaped metal clamp are mounted on an insulator block with one armof the clamp overlaying one surface of the block and the other arm overlaying the other surface of the block. The connecting portion of the clamp has an; elongated slot'through which a conductor member may be inserted into a channel formed in one surface of the block under the respective arm of the clamp. The two arms and the block have aligned openings through which extends a screw for clamping the conductor member between the block and an arm of, the clamp. One arm of the clamp may have an extensionwhich carries a switch contact at its free end and also may have a transverse notch in which is seated a complementary projection on the block whereby the clamp is yieldably secured to the block member when the screw is removed. I

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the following description and accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG; 1 is a top plan view of the switching assembly of a contactor embodying the invention;

FIG; 2'is a cross sectional view of the terminal block 'andcontact'carrierassemblies of the switching assembly taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the terminal block assembly as viewed in the right side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the terminal block assembly;

15 formed by isolating barriers 16, 17 and 18. A corresponding set of compartments 19 are formed on the parallel lower surface 20 of theblock 11 by isolating barriers 21, 22 and 23 which are, respectively, in alignment with the barriers 16, 17 and 18 to form continuations thereof. The floor 24 of each of the compartments 14 is provided with a central longitudinal recess 25 interrupted by atransverse projection 26 which extends slightly above the floor 24. Along the bottom. of each compartment 19 is a wide longitudinal channel 2'7 pro viding a shoulder 28 at each side of the compartment. The floor 29 of each compartment 19 has an opening 30 passing entirely through the block 11 to the respective compartment 14 or 15 on the opposite surface 13.

The particular block 11 shown is designed to receive in clamping engagement therewith six combined contact and connector clamps 31 and four connector clamps 32.

7 Both clamps 31 and 32 are formed in a U-shapefrom a somewhat resilient metal such as brass. As shownin FIG. 5, clamp 31 includes a base or connecting portion 33 provided with a slot 34- which extends across the full length of the base 33. The two parallel arms 35 and 36 of the clamp 31 are provided, respectively, with a threaded vided with a transversely extending notch 39gintermediate aperture 38-and the free end 49 which carries a contact 41; The clamp 32 is similar to clamp 31 and 'may be vformed fromthe clamp 31 by cutting oil the end portion of arm 36 along a line passing between the aperture 38 and the notch 39 Whereby-theremainder constitutes FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are isometric views of the parts of b may be molded from any suitable insulating material such as a phenolic resin. The uppersurface 13 of the block is provided Witha plurality ofcompartments 14,

an arm 36A substantially equal in length to arm 35.

The arm 36 of each clamp 31"is positioned in a com partment 14 with the other arm 35 engagingtheshonlders 28 in the respective compartments 19. The spacing be-, tween the innersurfaces of arms 35and36 is substantially equal to that between the floor 24 of compartment 14 and the outer surfaces of shoulders 28 in compartment 19 and it will be seen that when projection 26 is seated in notch 3?, the clamps 31- are yieldably held upon the block 11; The arm 36A of each clamp 3,2 is similarly positioned in a compartment 15' with the other arm 35 positioned in the respective compartment 19. Each of' the clamps 31, 32 are secured in position by a screw 42.

engaged from the stationary contacts 4l carried by the clamps 31. Upon movement of the carrier 12 downward, the bridging contacts 46 engage the contacts 41 and are yieldingly held in engagement therewith under the action of springs 47.

It will be apparent thatif any of the contacts 41 become Worn or damaged, the clamps 31 may be readily removed for replacement. The clamps 31 may be re,-

moved from the block 11 by taking out the screws 42' and sliding the clamps 31 off the block 11. The drawing shows the block 11 with one of the clamps 31 removed and with the screw 42 for another clamp 31 also removed. It is not necessary to remove the bridging contacts 46 to 'rem'ovethe clamps 31 and FIG. 1 shows one'of the'bridging contacts 46 removed only for purposes of illustration.

The screws 42 may be employed for fastening the bared ends of conductors and conductor terminals to the V arni -35and the floor of channel'2'7,

The terminal portion 57'of termi screws 42 may be used as isolated iring junctions. for

connecting circuits independently of the switch contacts. The; electric coil of an electromagnetic actuator for the switching assembly 10, for instance,-could be connected to two of the clamps 32'. V

- 'ways falling within the scope any of'the clamps 31 and 32 for making connections to I external circuits. The auxiliary terminals mayibe of F any suitable design comprising for example, a rela-f tively fiat terminal 53 having-a terminal portion 51 Iwith a V threadediopening 5 2' for a terminal screw -as shown i'n. FIG. 7-, o'r it may comprise a 'teiininalSS having a :geH-

, described, since thesame'm'ay be carried out in other What is claimed is? 1. A terminal block I connector assembly comprising an insulator block member having first and second paral v v e lel surfaces and an opening therethrough; said block mem- In addition; auxiliary terrninals may be employed with oer having-an open ended channel" formed in said first surface in communication with said opening; a clamping member in clamping engagement with said block memher; said clamping member consisting of a' netal" strip bent lto U-shape .Withiirst and second parallel arms and a} connecting portion; said -first armoverlying saidfirst surtace'and' extending over'said channelto form.;thereerally*channel-sha'ped main body portion SjlWi'th ant oflset tab' terminal'portion' 57 as 'shown fin FIG. -61 "The terminal 59 has a'pai'r of notches 53 formed in its opposite edges Iin termediatetheterminal portion -51 and :a rectangnla'rrnainbodyportion' 59; Thebodyiportion 59 is'dimensionedto loosely fit in channel 27 of each compartment 119 and is. provided with'ajcentral, hoIeI Stl in axial alignment with the opening 30in the bloek 11;.

The terminal 50 extends'through slot 34 of either clamp V 31, 32 (with the two side legs 61 0f the clamp base 33 t disposed .in the notches 58. fThefterminal Si) is mounted :in the clamp 31'01332 before the latter is' positioned on 'the block 1 1 .by. fir st turning the terminalEt) approxi .rnately' 9O"=frorrr its relative position shown in FIG. 2; -insertinglthe ody-portion 59 through the slot 34in'the i asez33 until the notches 58 arealigned with theside legs 561, and turningit-to the position shownin'FIG. 2'. ;The

four corn'ers 62' of the. body por so that. the" dimension'between 'theIextremities of the" corherSZ andthe opposite side ofthebfody portion 5?.

a has martian tion 59 are upturned" 6 of1narrowed width extending fro rn itsfree end to a p i-wioe'r portion 64,. the' terminal portion'57 being'otfset j from the main body portion '55 by'a transverse connecting portion '65. .The main body'portion 516;,has itsside (a .ed ges fifi turned outwardly so that the dimensionbetween the extremities or the edges -56 and the opposite .sidei of the bodyportion 56 is 'somewhat greater than that of] {the dimension between the floor of the channel 27v and the outersurfacesof the shoulders 28. Further, the body "portion 551sv dimensioned' 'so that the side edges with a receptacle for a conductor member; said firstarm alignment with' 'said opening in said block member; said Ise'cond .arrn overlying .said second surfaceiand having ansaperture' in'alignrnent with said aperture in saidffirst arm; saidconnecting' portion .of said clamping mefnher being provided with a slot aligned with: thefopen end of said channel for insertion of a'"conductorymember 'therethroughinto said receptacle; and'ascrew extending "through said apertures in saidf arms an'djsaid opening in r said block meinber;'saidfscrew being thr'eadediin. -said aperturefofisaid'firstarmi'and having a headportion cooperating with; said secondarmtor drawing'said arms together into clamping engagement with. said blockmem berfsaid clamping" engagementfdeveloping 'a clamping force. to hold ea conduct or member; insertedfthroughjsaid slot into said channel in electrical connection with said arm. ,l H 2.-A terminal I block connector assembly comprising an insulator block-member having first andsecond paral-. is somewhat igreater than that of thedimension between the floor oficharinel'fl and .the outer stirfa'ces of shoul- Id'ers 28; Thus when the screw 42 is tightened with terniinal'SO mounted in'eit hero'f theclamps 31, 32,.the body Q portion 59 of terminal'ffifi is firmly -heldibetween the. 1

lelsurf aces and an opening therethrou'gh;saidLblock mem :ber having'an' jopen ended channelrfor'rned -insaid first surface in communication with said opening; a clamping memberin clampingfen'gagement withi said block mern? ;ber; saidgclampingzmemberconsisting.of a. metal strip bent to. U-shapewith'first and second parallel arms and 40 a connecting portion;saidj first' arm overlying said first surface and extendin'g iover sai'd 'channel-to forni therewith. 'a receptacle; said first arm beingfpro'vided with an... internally threaded aperturein alignment with; said o'p'en- "ingin said: block meniber 'said'second arm overlying .said second surface and having an aperturein alignment with saidlaperturein said first arm; saidconnecting portion at said clamping. member being tormed with'a slot 66 will fitloosely Within the Channel -ZT The body porlion-5t: has a' hole 67 through which screw'fll'passes w en a clamp '31 or 32with terminal 55 extending through slot 34 ismounted upon the terminal block 11. With the 'parts' so arranged, tightening of the screwfildevelops' a clamping force which firmly holds the terminal 55 b'etween the arm 35 of clamp-3110i 32and theflo'or' of channel 27.

Itywill be seen that,'by reason of thisficonstruetion,

a body portions'of the auxiliary terminalsand55 are firmly held in position and suflicient pressure is insured 61' of theclamps and the' 'engagernent' of the side legs 61 While'the invention has been shownand between thebody portions and the arm/of the clamp 'to; provide an adequate electrical connection. 'The engagement of the notches 58of terminal 59 with the side legs between the connectingportion 65 and the ends o f the 1 *side edges 66 of the terminal prevent the acciden tal "withdrawal of the terminals from their'assembled relation with the clamps. Although only two'types of auxil-j iar'y terminals are shown, it will be appreciated that other typesofa 'priliaiy terminals m ybe" employed.

aligned with the open' end of said channel; a.terminal member having a body portion disposed in said channel in said block'member and a terminal' portion extending through said slot in said connecting portion;'said body portion being provided -with-a hole, in alignment with saidopening in said block; said body portio'nlbeing shaped to partially project from said .channel inengagenientwith saidfirstarin; and a screwextending.throughji said apertures in -said arms;'said opening in saidibloch 7 member and said hole in; said terminal" member; said screw havinglthreaded. engagement "with said aperture in, said firstjarm'iand having a. head portion cooperating 1 with said second arm for drawing said arm's-together into" clamping engagement with said blockmember and 'said body portionof said terminal member.

3. A. terminal block connector assembly comprising. an insulator block member having first and second paral- V lel-surfaces and an'op eningtherethrough; said'blockzniember -having-an' open ended channel' formied in said first surface in'cornmunication with said opening; aclamping member in cl arnping engagement with said block memher; said-clamping member {Consisting jofairnetal strip bent tojUf-shape with firstland'seconiparallel arms and a connecting portion; said first arm "overlyingsaid first surface andieitending over said channelto form there-i witha receptacle forZ- a conductor rnernber; said firsti'armf; being provided .with an internally. threaded aperture in alignment with .said opening, i n said"blocl member; said of the invention as claimed.

L: second arm overlying said second surface and having an aperture in alignment with said aperture in said first arm; said connecting portion of said clamping member being provided with a slot in alignment with the open end of said channel for insertion of said conductor member therethrough into said receptacle; a screw extending through said apertures in said arms and said opening in said block member and threaded in said first arm for applying a clamping pressure to said arms whereby said conductor member may be firmly clamped in said channel in said block member; said second surtace oi said block member having a barrier partition in close relation with each side of said second arm so as to restrain said clamping member from excessive rotary motion about the axis of said screw; said second arm having an integral extension with an electrical switch contact attached adjacent the free end thereof; said second surface having an integral projection disposed between barrier portions; said extension of said second arm being provided with a complementary transverse notch for receiving said projection; the spacing of said arms being just sufiiciently greater than the spacing between said surfaces to provide clearance therebetween and to afford yielding seating engagement of said projection with said notch in said 6 extension whereby said clamping member is yieldably secured to said block member when said screw is removed.

4. A terminal block connector assembly according to claim 3 and including a terminal member having a body portion disposed in said channel in said block member and a terminal portion extending through said slot in said connecting portion; said body portion being provided with a hole in alignment with said opening in said block; said screw extending through said hole in said body portion; and said body portion being shaped to project from said first surface when disposed in said channel to effect clamping of said terminal member between said block member and said first arm when said screw is threaded into said aperture in said first arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,269,241 Ayers Jan. 6, 1942 2,453,826 Adams Nov. 16, 1948 2,791,659 Matthais May 7, 1957 2,882,513 Olashaw Apr. 14, 1959 3,099,730 Tateishi July 30, 1963 

1. A TERMINAL BLOCK CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN INSULATOR BLOCK MEMBER HAVING FIRST AND SECOND PARALLEL SURFACES AND AN OPENING THERETHROUGH; SAID BLOCK MEMBER HAVING AN OPEN ENDED CHANNEL FORMED IN SAID FIRST SURFACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID OPENING; A CLAMPING MEMBER IN CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BLOCK MEMBER; SAID CLAMPING MEMBER CONSISTING OF A METAL STRIP BENT TO U-SHAPE WITH FIRST AND SECOND PARALLEL ARMS AND A CONNECTING PORTION; SAID FIRST ARM OVERLYING SAID FIRST SURFACE AND EXTENDING OVER SAID CHANNEL TO FORM THEREWITH A RECEPTACLE FOR A CONDUCTOR MEMBER; SAID FIRST ARM BEING PROVIDED WITH AN INTERNALLY THREADED APERTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID OPENING IN SAID BLOCK MEMBER; SAID SECOND ARM OVERLYING SAID SECOND SURFACE AND HAVING AN APERTURE IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID APERTGURE IN SAID FIRST ARM; SAID CONNECTING PORTION OF SAID CLAMPING MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH A SLOT ALIGNED WITH THE OPEN END OF SAID CHANNEL FOR INSERTION OF A CONDUCTOR MEMBER THERETHROUGH INTO SAID RECEPTACLE; AND A SCREW EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURES IN SAID ARMS AND SAID OPENING IN SAID BLOCK MEMBER; SAID SCREW AND SAID OPENING IN APERTURE OF SAID FIRST ARM SCREW BEING THREADED IN SAID COOPERATING WITH SAID SECOND ARM FOR DRAWING SAID ARMS TOGETHER INTO CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BLOCK MEMBER; SAID CLAMPING ENGAGEMENT DEVELOPING A CLAMPING FORCE TO HOLD A CONDUCTOR MEMBER INSERTED THROUGH SAID SLOT INTO SAID CHANNEL IN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION WITH SAID ARM. 